In this COVD-19 crisis, justice concerns continue and in many cases are escalated. We will be trying to keep you updated on how you might be able to continue advocacy work and also to help food pantries. If you are able to contribute, please note that OASIS in Paterson has drop off points locally. Watch this page and the USR Facebook page for up to date information.
Do You Know of a Friend or Neighbor Who Might Be in Need of Food During This COVID-19 Crisis?
Click here for a list of some resources that can help.
Immigrant Justice- Help From Home!
Our immigrant friends and neighbors are hurting. The Covid-19 virus deeply affects this community be they in ICE detention, facing devastating job losses or simply being especially fearful to come out of the shadows. They need our help. Click here to read about the three actions suggested by our Friday USR Zoom for Justice attendees.
Oasis – a Haven for Women and Children in Paterson – is a safe haven for women and children. Under normal circumstances, they provide services such as aftercare and GED classes for adults. Ridgewood youth have volunteered at Oasis, helping with homework and teaching financial literacy. Although those are evidently not occurring in the face of COVID-19, Oasis is still open as a food pantry and is collecting donations. A list of suggested items is in the link below. Their website also lists the local drop off points (food and/or personal care items). While we are aware that many people cannot give anything because their supplies are low, anything you can give will help! Alternatively you can donate on line (https://oasisnj.org/donate) or send a check to OASIS, 59 Mill Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.
Center for Food Action (CFA)
The Center for Food Action (CFA) provides emergency services to northern New Jersey’s poorest and most vulnerable residents. CFA provides food, housing, utility, and heating assistance and offers counseling and advocacy services to low-income individuals and families. If you would like to help, CFA is in urgent need of funds and grocery gift cards. While CFA has always welcomed and relied on food donations from the community, they currently do not have enough staff and volunteers to process food donations. Monetary gifts enable them to buy large quantities of the items most needed and eliminate the need to date, sort, and inspect food donations.
To make a donation of funds, please go to https://www.cfanj.org/donate-funds-today/ or make a gift by mail. Both checks and grocery gift cards should be mailed to: Center for Food Action, 192 W. Demarest Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631. Please note that mailed receipts will be slightly delayed due to the crisis.
Get the latest news on current priority issues by following UU FaithAction NJ (formerly UU Legislative Ministry of NJ). The mission of the UU FaithAction NJ is to provide the comprehensive structure for New Jersey Unitarian Universalists’ non-partisan activism. They work for a socially just public policy in collaboration with like-minded organizations through Education, Research, Advocacy, Witness, and Service.
UU FaithAction NJ also maintains a Community Calendar of social justice events in New Jersey. Click here to view or to submit your social justice event.
To learn more about how USR works in partnership with UU FaithAction NJ, click here.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
Click here to view updates from the UUSC newsletter.
Click here to join UUSC and support communities under attack.
